Injury Epidemiology and Preventative Strategies in Triathletes: A Study of the 2022 Season.

Abstract

Context: Triathlons are a popular endurance sport with an elevated injury risk. Prevalence for injuries in triathletes varies greatly and is thought to be related to racing distance. The most common injuries in triathletes occur in the lower-extremities and are considered overuse in nature. The primary purpose of this study was to examine injury patterns and prevalence among triathletes during the 2022 season.

Design: This study adopts an epidemiological approach using a retrospective survey to better understand the prevalence, nature, and patterns of injuries among triathletes.

Methods: A live online questionnaire was developed that collected information about demographics, triathlon racing, and injury epidemiology. The survey was posted to social media and emailed to large triathlon clubs and international federations at the beginning of 2023 and was left open for 75 days.

Results: Two hundred nineteen triathletes reported at least 1 injury, with 58.5% classified as overuse. Eighty-one percent were reported as triathlon related. The most frequent area of injury was to the lower-extremity (73.8%). Triathletes sought advice from a health care provider 64.6% of the time. Eighty-seven percent of triathletes had to miss or modify training because of their injury. Those triathletes not reporting injury indicated that strength training (72.2%) and stretching/foam rolling (64.9%) were believed to help prevent injury.

Conclusion: The risk of injury while training for a triathlon is significant and can be severe enough to require modifications to the training program. The most vulnerable area for injury is the lower-extremities, and such injuries are usually caused by overuse. To reduce the risk of injury, there is a need to examine preventive strategies further and determine their effectiveness.